Unfortunately, the published data to date on HCR must be considered limited and hypothesis generating. Clinicians, payers, and patients are interested in the specific benefits of revascularization alternatives. HCR as a scientifically validated approach would have a major healthcare impact. The ability to deliver a new therapy for CAD that provides durability, but without the obligatory trauma and prolonged recovery time characteristic of conventional CABG would be a major advance in the field of cardiovascular medicine. The NHLBI-funded Hybrid Observational Study demonstrated that equipoise exists between the two coronary revascularization paradigms; however, a rigorously designed randomized clinical trial is now needed to provide sufficient evidence to guide clinical decision making for this important patient population.